The next two weeks will be a flurry of Fall Fortnight Fun! I have two new projects with free patterns for you, a new recipe to try, a pretty table to get us in the mood for fall, and a couple of surprises. The best news is that my affiliate sponsors have all agreed to provide prizes for the event. We will start today with the first project. Since we only have two weeks, there is no time to waste!
Let’s dive right in! Here is the first project, a fun table topper or wall hanging. You might recognize the basic design as the Vultures Rock project. I really liked the design and it was perfect for this event. It is a combination of piecing and applique, but you can make changes that suit you. You can choose to do embroidery on your machine rather than applique, or use fussy cuts. The design was created in EQ8, read on for a special sale just for readers of my blog.
In the pattern, you’ll find applique patterns for the center and corners. I used embroidery in my center, but you could also fussy cut a motif.
Download the free pattern pdf by clicking on this link -> Fall Fortnight Table Topper
First, if you want to use embroidery, look through your embroidery library for a suitable fall sentiment. Choose your thread colors from a piece of the fabric you intend to use. This black is going to be the sashing. I use Sulky threads almost exclusively, check out their Scary Savings deals going on now.
I found a Thanksgiving theme sentiment to embroider. You can use anything you like. One tip, clip your jump threads as you go so they don’t get stitched down with the next color.
Stitch it out, and trim to 6-1/2-inches square.
If you plan to do the pumpkin applique, just put a plain background in the center. I do the appliques last, but you could do it now if your quilting plan allows for that. If you are fussy cutting a motif, cut it to size. Next, add the sashing to the center.
Then make four sets of four flying geese using the no-waste method. For a detailed tutorial, see my post No Waste Flying Geese. The dimensions to cut are in the download.
Decide how you want your corners to look. They can be plain, another embroidery, another print, a fussy cut, or left as background for hand applique.
Lay out the elements, and sew the base together. I plan to do pumpkin appliques in the corners, so I used plain background squares. Watch the orientation of your geese.
Add the final border. Next time, we’ll look at quilting and finishing the appliques.
Virtual Retreat is rescheduled to Monday, October 21 at 10:00 am. I hope this date works for many of you. Click on the registration page – Fall Fortnight Virtual Retreat to register, just $5 to help pay for the Zoom plan. You will receive the Zoom ID and password in an email after your payment. You can work on whatever you like, not necessarily Fall Fortnight projects. You can sew, knit, paint or just come to chat. Also, you do not need to commit to the whole day, come and go as you can. Come sew with us!!
Today’s sponsor is Electric Quilt, and Diane has arranged an amazing offer for readers of my blog during this event. If you have ever wanted to have this software to do your own designing, now is the time to get it! During this week of Fall Fortnight, get 25% off the EQ8 software with discount code FORTNIGHT25 until Oct. 27!
For those who already own the software, you can get 25% off any add on, Block Base, fabric stash downloads, upgrades from EQ7 to EQ8, books, printables, and more! Use discount code FORTNIGHT25 until Oct. 21!
Check out the Complete Guide to Importing and Editing Images in EQ8 Software – This Deep Dive booklet contains everything you need to know to get started and then master importing your own fabrics and photos into EQ8 software. Learn to scan fabrics from your stash, photograph fabrics using a phone or camera, and download fabric images from a manufacturer’s website. Then understand editing options for your images so that the quilt on your screen accurately represents how your quilt will look when it is sewn together. BONUS: Exclusive access to supplemental videos for extra help! Already a bargain, it is eligible for the discount too! Use discount code FORTNIGHT25 until Oct. 21!
Coming this month, Electric Quilt Company and AccuQuilt are happy to announce your favorite pair of quilting tools are now even easier to use together! EQ8 and AccuQuilt GO! Qube® dies are coming together to bring quilters an exciting new series of add-on products, making it more streamlined to design quilts that can be cut using your favorite dies. Check it out at EQ8 / Accuquilt Go! Qube Mix and Match!
If you don’t have EQ8, and don’t plan to get it, there are still items in their shop for you. They have excellent printables for inkjet printers for paper piecing designs, photo printing on fabric along with the Encyclopedia of of Pieced Quilt Patterns. See the EQ Store!
So, have fun sewing the project, and sign up for Virtual Retreat. Due to the volume of comments during this event, I will not be able to personally respond to all of them. But know that I read and appreciate each and every one!
What do you think of our first Fall Fortnight project?
From My Carolina Home 
That is a fun project! I like it with both the embroidery or the pumpkins. I will be hunting down some options when I return from church. Nice to see this up and running after the horrible Helene.
I’ve been needing a new table topper, and this one is perfect. Thank you for sharing the pattern.
I’m excited to try the pattern. I have not done appliqué before but this seems like a simple enough project to get my feet wet with. Unfortunately I won’t be able to join the virtual retreat as my kids are off school that day. I look forward to another one in the future.
Well this is exciting! The table topper is so cute and I love that you can customize it as well. Carole, do you remember the size of your embroidery file? Thanks! And please thank all the prize sponsors too!
hello from a new reader, looking forward to the project!
Love the new table topper. I unfortunately have prior committments so will not be able to make the virtual retreat. I really love your idea of machine embroidery for your center design. Thanks for all the effort you put into this every year!!
I’ll have more Virtual Retreats in the future, on different days of the week.
Really nice Fall project. Thanks for sharing the pattern. However, since I don’t have EQ, I wish there were templates for the pumpkins
The templates are in the pattern download. You don’t need EQ to do the pattern. Just download the three page pattern for all the fabric cutting, applique templates and assembly instructions.
Thanks, Carole, for the reply. When l looked at the pattern initially, l didn’t realize the pumpkins where the templates . Just thought it was showing the different sizes. So, thanks for clearing that up. Added to my list today. ~Patti
I would never be able to focus and get something done in two weeks but I will be watching to see what others do. You must be back to normal now in at your house from the hurricane
Things are much better for much of the county, thank you. You can always download the pattern and make it at your leisure. Have fun!!
Hip! Hip! Hooray! Fall Fortnight has begun. The table topper is a great way to start off!
Well shoot I can’t make the retreat again. My husband and I will be on vacation to Mt. Rushmore. I am definitely joining Fortnight.
I love this but don’t have the time to start a new project but will definitely keep it in my to do files. I am glad that things are getting back to normal enough for you to be thinking about sewing again. I am planning on doing the Fortnight retreat and will be working on my Pumpkin Star quilt in hopes and finally getting it all together. Can’t wait to see what recipe we will be trying.
Awesome! It will be a fun day!
Great table topper. I have a lot going on this month but am going to try to work on this. Thanks so much Carole, I look forward to your projects each year.
Beautiful project to begin the event. Nice to see you get started on this as it means you’re starting to get back to normal there. My prayers have been with all in the area.
Love the table topper. This will be a much-needed break after dealing with Milton. Thanks Carole. I’m sure it took a lot of strength to put this event together as I’m certain you all are still dealing with the after effects of Helene. Out to the bins to search for fabric!
Love the pumpkins. I’ve also been envisioning it using Christmas, Valentines, Saint Patrick’s Day Fabric & more!! May make it reversible with Christmas on the back. I’ve just received a commission work that needs to be done by November 1st, so may not get on this right away.
I’ve signed up for the Virtual Retreat, so see you there!!
Oh, yes, it is very versatile! I am thinking of making a Christmas one too.
Thanks for coming to Virtual Retreat!
great pattern for a table topper…plan to make one for Christmas and the 4th of july.
I always love a fall project with pumpkins and seasonal fabric, so you’ve hooked me! I’ll enjoy digging through my scraps to see what might work. Thanks, Carole!
Thank you, Carole. Such a cute pattern!
Thank you and your sponsors. I’m looking forward to all the fall fun you will share.
I have so much autumn fabric in my stash that it will be a real joy to get started on this project. So looking forward to the whole fortnight. Thanks so much for doing this, especially after all you’ve been through lately.
I love Fall and always look forward to your inspiration. Love the table topper – thank you and your sponsors. I would need to make into a table runner but oh so cute!
So pretty Carole! I need to pull out my embroidery unit and get it going… maybe I need to add a space in my studio to just keep it out…….! xx